No benevolence for corrupt officials, Ethics czar warns

Santo Domingo.- The Government’s Anticorruption czar revealed Friday that in Thursday’s cabinet meeting all senior officials were warned in a "severe" manner “not to expect benevolence” if they betray president Danilo Medina’s trust.

Marino Vinicio Castillo (Vincho), head of the newly created Governmental Ethics and Integrity Directorate warned that what’s new about that agency is that you can proceed through complaints from public rumors and act when certain officials are found to cast "shadows."

He said the agency, more than just recommend, will impose penalties to on officials involved in corruption through specific mechanisms.

"We’ll now work with responsible denouncements and not with prejudiced allegations, or unfounded claims made by political or personal interests."

Interviewed in his National Palace office, the official promised to stick closely to the 14 provisions in the decree on which he was appointed.